Niger: The burden of violence in the Diffa region

10 May 2017

More than 240,000 displaced people and refugees are now living in the Diffa region, in southeastern Niger. Their lives have been interrupted by the conflict between Boko Haram and the armies in the area that has displaced more than 2.6 million people in the Lake Chad Basin.

Niger: The burden of violence in the Diffa region

Photo: Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

More than 240,000 displaced people and refugees are now living in the Diffa region, in southeastern Niger. Their lives have been interrupted by the conflict between Boko Haram and the armies in the area that has displaced more than 2.6 million people in the Lake Chad Basin

Photo: Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

Site for displaced people and refugees in Kintchandi.Thousands of families in search of refuge have settled around this village, near the main road that crosses the region.

Photo: Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

In Garin Wazan, there is currently a displaced community of more than 8,000 people from the islands of Lake Chad. “Boko Haram stole some of the cattle, and we lost the rest because we had to leave,” explains the community chief.

A water collection point for families in Garin Wazan. Despite the humanitarian aid, living conditions remain difficult in the camp and not all basic needs are met. A lack of water, latrines and food, in sufficient quantity and quality, are the main problems.

Photo: Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

School in Garin Wazan. According to UN data, 30 schools are still closed in Diffa due to the conflict, and the few that remain open don’t have any basic equipment.

Photo: Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

The Diffa region has been facing this humanitarian crisis for over two years, and hundreds of thousands of people are totally dependent on humanitarian aid.

Photo: Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

This road that crosses the Diffa region has asphalt until a little after Kintchandi, and then it becomes a dirt track. Many people have sought safety alongside it.